Our Story
WHERE IT FIRST BEGAN…
Derryck started training at The Stronghold Point Loma, where he met the founder, Professor Michael Cusi. After training for a year, Derryck and his love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grew into The Stronghold Rancho Bernardo. Derryck and his wife, Leslie along with Leslie’s brother, Ric, have grown the Stronghold Rancho Bernardo family from a small classroom in the RB Rec Center where most of the students were just immediate family into the main facility space in the RB Courtyard. After seven years of guidance under the Stronghold family, Derryck, Leslie, and Ric have branched into their own, thus 1802 Jiu-Jitsu was born (pronounced eighteen oh two).
MEANING BEHIND THE NAME
The name 1802 has several meanings. The eighteenth letter of the alphabet is the letter “R” and the second is “B,” representing the community where we started. Also, it references to the Bible, Psalm 18:2. A humble shoutout of where we started our jiu-jitsu journey at The Stronghold Point Loma.
MISSION STATEMENT
1802 Jiu-Jitsu aims to provide a welcome and safe community space for everyone, all while enjoying the gentle art. Our tagline, “Strength within our roots,” means a great deal to us. Roots represent our values, our guiding principles that we uphold — Discipline, Family, Perseverance, Integrity, Respect. Everyday, we strive to maintain those healthy roots because it is what guides us to achieve the very best version of ourselves and allows us to maintain a healthy community environment for all to train. We believe we can overcome any challenge whether it is jiu-jitsu related or not because we have strength within our roots.
The Anda Family: Kylie, Derryck, Xandyr, Leslie, and Joselyn.
Elite 8 at JJWL
Ric’s Black Belt Promotion alongside his family memebers that train with him. Kylie, Xandyr, Roderic, Rodolfo Jr, Ric, Leslie, Joselyn, and Derryck.
Professor Henry and his family; Cindy and Jr.